Browning B-78 B78 Like Winchester 1885 .25-06 Remington Single Shot Rifle
SOLD FOR: $1,475.00
LSB#: LSB250516JB004
Make: Browning, made in Japan by Miroku
Model: B-78 High Power
Serial Number: 35148RT147
Year of Manufacture: 1976 (https://www.browning.com/support/date-your-firearm/rifle/b78-high-power-rifle.html)
Caliber: .25-06 Remington
Action Type: Lever Actuated Falling Block Single Shot
Barrel Length: 26″, Tapered Octagonal
Sights / Optics: There is no provision for iron sights. The rear of the barrel and chamber ring are drilled and tapped with two-piece Browning bases and 1″ rings installed.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with capped pistol grip, monte carlo comb with cheek piece, schnabel forend, sling swivels front and rear, and a basketweave textured black rubber Browning buttpad. The stocks have a few light nicks and scratches. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/2″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the pad. The pad has minor wear. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some stubborn copper fouling on the lands and minor erosion in the bore just in front of the chamber. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are a few tiny marks. The breech-block has dried grease. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a safety notch. The trigger breaks crisply and the lever locks-up solidly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with the installed bases and rings.
Our Assessment: When they were first manufactured, the John Browning designed Winchester Model 1885 rifles were deemed stronger than the prior Sharps rifles, and the different sight and trigger options available made them an instant hit with hunters and target shooters alike. The Model 1885 rifles were targeted at competitors in “Match Shooting”, a sport which was extremely popular from about 1871 to 1917. The Winchester rifles challenged the Sharps, Remington, Maynard and Ballard rifles, and quickly became known for their reliability and accuracy. Major Ned Roberts, inventor of the .257 Roberts cartridge, described the Model 1885 as “the most reliable, strongest and altogether best single shot rifle ever produced”. In 1973, Browning introduced their own version of the 1885, the B-78 High Power, in a variety of cartridges. This example is chambered for .25-06 Remington and has a 26″ tapered octagon barrel. The rifle is in Fine-Excellent plus, appearing to have seen a couple of trips to the range. With its simple, rugged design, target shooting heritage, and .25-06 chambering, this is a rifle that will do just as well popping prairie dogs as it will punching paper. It doesn’t hurt that it’s easy on the eyes, too. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
